Hardware Podcasts

Ryan Callahan (Creator, Project KegRocket)

Just Gonna Send It · 28 Jan 2026 · 49m · Episode 11

What this episode covers

Ryan Callahan, the creator of Project KegRocket, explains how his side project of building a liquid-fueled rocket from beer kegs evolved from a college passion into a complex engineering challenge. He details his journey from flying surplus LR 101 engines at San Diego State University to working as a manufacturing engineer at Blue Origin, emphasizing that hands-on fabrication experience is critical for effective design. Callahan discusses the specific constraints of using thin-walled stainless steel kegs, sourcing cryogenic valves, and leveraging SendCutSend for sheet metal fabrication to keep the project approachable and affordable. He outlines the current status of the airframe and avionics, noting that logistics and securing launch resources at the Friends of Amateur Rocketry site are the primary hurdles before a planned 2026 launch.

Most relevant to

founders before launch

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Blue Origin, Lefa
Products
Project KegRocket, Galactic Aztec
Also
San Diego State University, LR 101, Friends of Amateur Rocketry, Norton Sales, FAR Mars

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